Benzema, French minister clash over 'Muslim Brotherhood' claim / Photo: - - AFP
-
Wallabies skipper Wilson has full faith in rookie flyhalf
-
Spain aim for World Cup date with France by beating Belgium
-
Landslide kills five in Philippines as biggest typhoon in decades nears Taiwan
-
Bayeux Tapestry arrives in London after epic journey from France
-
Modi visits New Zealand as trade deal sparks India pushback
-
North Korea vows boost to nuclear buildup, military intelligence
-
Bayeux Tapestry to arrive in London after epic journey from France
-
H5 bird flu detected in Australian seabird for first time
-
Syria authorities say captured IS-linked cell behind blasts
-
Myanmar's pro-democracy revolution weakens five years on
-
Table for one: how Japan's 'Solitary Gourmet' became a TV hit
-
Hundreds flee homes in Taiwan ahead of biggest typhoon in decades
-
Australia's Big Bash League to open season in India
-
Asian stocks rally as SK hynix breathes life back into AI trade
-
Disappointment at Morocco's World Cup exit cannot mask pride
-
Humanitarians look to put the AI in aid
-
In gas-rich Kazakhstan, many rely on lethal cylinders
-
Indian haute couture presence 'overdue', says designer Manish Malhotra
-
Chip titan SK hynix raises $26.5 bn in blockbuster US listing
-
'Everyone' expects Spain to beat us, says Belgium coach
-
Venezuela quake tragedy threatens to set back democratic transition
-
France's Galthie says 'hot and cold' Australia still a threat
-
Yamal's best 'yet to come,' warns Spain coach
-
Mbappe warns 'a long way to go' for France at World Cup after reaching semis
-
'Up to him' - Curry on chance that LeBron lands with Warriors
-
Deschamps hails Mbappe after superstar fires France into World Cup semis
-
Revamped Ireland wary of 'bang in form' Japan
-
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc: Notification of Relevant Change to Significant Shareholder
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - July 10
-
OpenAI number two Simo steps down to focus on health
-
Morocco coach Ouahbi vows team will come back stronger after World Cup exit
-
Iran buries Khamenei after new fighting with US erupts
-
Rennie says Italy won't catch All Blacks off guard
-
Can ageless Messi keep delivering for Argentina at World Cup?
-
McIlroy encouraged by 'great start' to Scottish Open
-
Chip titan SK hynix to raise $26.5 bn in blockbuster US listing
-
England chase World Cup glory as Haaland allows Norway to dream
-
Bayeux Tapestry begins epic journey from France to London
-
'When it's Kylian, there's no problem': Deschamps after France into semis
-
Mbappe, Dembele fire France past Morocco into World Cup semi-finals
-
Mbappe strikes again as France beat Morocco to reach World Cup semi-finals
-
Chip titan SK hynix readies for mega US listing
-
Sick Olympic champion McKeown pulls out of Commonwealth Games, PanPacs
-
Iyer says India in 'transition' after latest thrashing by England
-
Traeen out of Tour de France after losing yellow jersey
-
Iyer says India in 'transition' after latest England thrashing
-
Ukrainian sports minister slams IOC's 'cynical' Russia decision
-
Silencing World Cup hotshot Haaland vital, says England's O'Reilly
-
Leonard return to Raptors on hold pending Clippers probe
-
Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout set to miss rest of season
Benzema, French minister clash over 'Muslim Brotherhood' claim
The lawyer of Karim Benzema has hit back at France's interior minister after he accused the French football star who plays for Saudi team Al-Ittihad of links to the Muslim Brotherhood Islamist group.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin made the accusations after the reigning Ballon d'Or winner and former Real Madrid forward posted a message on social media about the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
"All our prayers are for the inhabitants of Gaza who are once again victims of these unjust bombings which spare no women or children," Benzema wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Hamas on October 7 launched shock raids into Israel, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and seizing about 200 hostages.
Israel has since then launched wave after wave of retaliatory air strikes, killing more than 3,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
Darmanin, speaking on the CNews Channel, alleged that Benzema "has a notorious link with the Muslim Brotherhood", a Sunni Muslim Islamist group with its origins in Egypt that is now banned by Cairo.
"This is false! Karim Benzema has never had the slightest relationship with this organisation," Benzema's layer Hugues Vigier said in a statement.
He said that Benzema was expressing "natural compassion" with "what many today describe as war crimes being committed in Gaza, but which does not detract from the horror of the terrorist acts of October 7, something not open to discussion".
The lawyer added that he was planning to file a complaint against Darmanin for his comments.
Benzema, 35, who was born in France to parents of Algerian origin, has been one of the standout French stars of the last decade.
He joined the Saudi club on a hugely lucrative three-year deal this year after 14 seasons with Real Madrid where he lifted five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey.
But after a stellar 2021-22 season when he led Real to Champions League glory and was rewarded with the Ballon d'Or for the world's best player, he was troubled by injuries that ruled him out of France's World Cup campaign in Qatar last year.
Darmanin, 41, has carved out a reputation as a hardliner in the mould of his political mentor ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy and makes no secret of his own presidential ambitions.
G.P.Martin--AT
